Eloping in Ontario: a small wedding, legally done

What do you still need, even for two?

An elopement is a real marriage, so the law is the same as for a wedding with 200 guests. You need:

• a marriage licence, from a municipal office, valid for 3 months from the day it is issued;
• an authorized officiant: a registered marriage officiant, or a civil officiant such as a municipal clerk or their delegate, a judge or a justice of the peace;
• 2 witnesses, physically present at the ceremony.

The provincial licence fee is $75, and most municipalities add their own fee: see our guide on marriage licence fees by city. Our licence planner gives you the exact dates for your wedding.

City hall or an officiant?

City hall. Some municipalities offer civil marriages, performed by a clerk or their delegate. They are simple and often affordable, but the days, times and places are the municipality's. Ask your city hall or town hall whether it offers them, and how far ahead to book.

An officiant. A registered officiant comes to you: a dock at sunrise, your backyard, a lookout on a weekday. You choose the date, the time and the words.

With Celebrance, you can book a registered officiant online for a short ceremony, at an all-in price you see before you book. The Essential package is the legal ceremony, short and simple: declarations, vows and the licence signing. See our wedding officiants in Ontario.

Choosing the place

• Ask the place first. A park, a beach or a trail may have its own rules for ceremonies or photography: check with the park or the municipality whether you need a permit.
• Plan for the weather. Have a sheltered spot nearby, and agree on it with your officiant.
• Think of the signing. Right after the ceremony, you, your witnesses and your officiant sign the licence: a flat surface helps.

Who can be your witnesses?

Two people present at the ceremony, who sign the licence with you. Many couples who elope bring two close friends or relatives. If you want no guests at all, sort out your 2 witnesses before you book: without them, the officiant cannot marry you.

A short ceremony that is still yours

For a civil marriage, the Marriage Act requires three short statements, in English or French, and every Celebrance ceremony script includes them: our guide gives the exact legal words of an Ontario wedding. That part takes a few minutes. Around it, you can add your own vows (how to write them), a reading or a small ritual, or keep it to the essentials.

After the elopement

Your officiant sends the signed licence for registration. About 10 to 12 weeks after the wedding, you can order your marriage certificate through ServiceOntario. If you are taking your spouse's last name, our guide on changing your last name after marriage gives the steps, in order.

Sources: ontario.ca: getting married · ontario.ca: 90m03